Nashville Soccer Club, the city's first professional soccer team, has found a home.

They now want to build a following.

Music City's new United Soccer League franchise offered the first glimpse Wednesday of plans to play their inaugural season at the Metro-owned First Tennessee Park, home of the Triple-A baseball Nashville Sounds.

The Tennessean on Tuesday first reported Nashville SC's stadium agreement with the Sounds, a move that crosses off a critical checkbox before the club begins play in March 2018.

John Ingram, owner of Nashville SC, talking about Nashville's hopes for an MLS team.
Logan Murdock

Until that date arrives, Nashville SC is looking to expand their fan base. Nashville SC kicked off a "Plant the Flag" campaign intended to generate buzz about pro soccer in Nashville. They want soccer die-hards to show their spirit by placing Nashville SC flags in their front yards.

"Nashville deserves a professional soccer club, and now we have one," said Nashville SC CEO Court Jeske at a Wednesday news conference from First Tennessee Park unveiling the stadium plans. "No different than FC Barcelona, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich represent their fine cities, Nashville now has a club that can compete with them.

"Now, we are 125 years behind those great brands, but with your help and the help of the members of this community, we're going to catch up very quickly."

The Sounds and Nashville SC have reached a one-year agreement for the soccer club's use of First Tennessee Park, where it will play all 17 of its 2018 homes games.

A pair of renderings released by Nashville SC shows plans for First Tennessee Park's first baseline to form one sideline of the soccer field with the opposite sideline going in left and center fields. The stadium's capacity for baseball, 10,000, will be the same for soccer

A main-bowl view of Nashville Soccer Club's plans for First Tennessee Park, home of the Nashville Sounds, where the soccer team will play its inaugural season's home games in 2018(Photo: Nashville SC)

The soccer field will have goal near the right field wall and the other on the third baseline, positioning the field in a southwest-northeast direction. Grass will replace the infield's dirt for soccer games.

Nashville SC has designated special "supporters section" above what is the third base dugout.

Jeske said Nashville SC has received deposits from 80 percent of the 1,800 fans who form the team's 1779 Club, a club membership package that comes with perks.

The USL is in the second highest pro soccer league in North America, directly below Major League Soccer.

Nashville SC's stadium plan comes as Nashville SC controlling owner John Ingram pursues an MLS expansion franchise. If Nashville is awarded a team, Nashville SC would move up the league hierarchy and go from the USL to MLS.

Ingram last week unveiled preliminary conceptual designs for a stadium he wants Metro to help his ownership group build at the city-owned Fairgrounds Nashville. MLS is looking to fill four expansion spots, with plans to announce the first two cities in December.

If Nashville loses out in December, the level of support in Nashville for a USL team could be a key factor on whether Nashville is awarded an MLS team.

"Like the rest of Nashville, we love this place and are really happy to have it as a our home for our Nashville Soccer Club players and fans," Ingram said.

"If there was any doubt whether Nashville is ready for soccer, hopefully those questions were put aside in July when over 100,000 people showed up in Nissan Stadium to watch a couple of matches," Ingram said, referring to strong attendance at a CONCACAF Gold Cup and English Premier League matches. "I feel very confident that Music city is also becoming Soccer City."

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Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Michel Vorm (13) reacts after giving up the third goal in the second half of the Manchester City-Tottenham game in the International Champions Cup Saturday, July 29, 2017 at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn.
Lacy Atkins / The Tennessean,

Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Hugo Loris (1) makes a stop in the first half of the Manchester City-Tottenham game in the International Champions Cup Saturday, July 29, 2017 at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn.
Larry McCormack / The Tennessean,

Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Hugo Loris (1) can't stop a goal by Manchester City defender John Stones (5) in the first half of the Manchester City-Tottenham game in the International Champions Cup Saturday, July 29, 2017 at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn.
Lacy Atkins / The Tennessean,

Manchester City defender Eliaquim Mangala (15) and Tottenham Hotspur forward Vincent Janssen (9) battle for the ball in the second half of the Manchester City-Tottenham game in the International Champions Cup Saturday, July 29, 2017 at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn.
Larry McCormack / The Tennessean,

A young soccer player escorting the Tottenham players on the field covers his ears during pregame ceremonies at the Manchester City-Tottenham game in the International Champions Cup Saturday, July 29, 2017 at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn.
Larry McCormack / The Tennessean,

Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Victor Wanyama (12) takes a selfie with fans before the second half of the Manchester City-Tottenham game in the International Champions Cup Saturday, July 29, 2017 at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn.
Lacy Atkins / The Tennessean,

Manchester City defender Vincent Kompany (4) and Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Georges-Kevin Nkoudou (14) go after the ball in the second half of the Manchester City-Tottenham game in the International Champions Cup Saturday, July 29, 2017 at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn.
Larry McCormack / The Tennessean,

Man City players hug midfielder Brahim Diaz (55) after his goal in the second half of the Manchester City-Tottenham game in the International Champions Cup Saturday, July 29, 2017 at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn.
Lacy Atkins / The Tennessean,

Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Michel Vorm (13) reacts after giving up the third goal in the second half of the Manchester City-Tottenham game in the International Champions Cup Saturday, July 29, 2017 at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn.
Lacy Atkins / The Tennessean,

Man City fans try to get autographs as the players come off the field after their team won, 3-0, at the Manchester City-Tottenham game in the International Champions Cup Saturday, July 29, 2017 at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn.
Larry McCormack / The Tennessean

Manchester City goalkeeper Arijanet Muric (49) sends a shot wide from Tottenham Hotspur forward Vincent Janssen (9) looks in the second half of the Manchester City-Tottenham game in the International Champions Cup Saturday, July 29, 2017 at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn.
Larry McCormack / The Tennessean,

Manchester City forward Raheem Sterling (7) scores his goal in the second half of the Manchester City-Tottenham game in the International Champions Cup Saturday, July 29, 2017 at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn.
Lacy Atkins / The Tennesssean,

Manchester City goalie Aro Muric (49) makes a stop in the second half of the Manchester City-Tottenham game in the International Champions Cup Saturday, July 29, 2017 at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn.
Lacy Atkins / The Tennessean,

A Tottenham fan leads cheers in the second half of the Manchester City-Tottenham game in the International Champions Cup Saturday, July 29, 2017 at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn.
Lacy Atkins / The Tennessean,

Manchester City defender Vincent Kompany (4) and Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Dele Alli (20) battle for the ball in the second half of the Manchester City-Tottenham game in the International Champions Cup Saturday, July 29, 2017 at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn.
Larry McCormack / The Tennessean,

A Man City defender tries to get the ball from Tottenham Hotspur forward Harry Kane (10) in the second half of the Manchester City-Tottenham game in the International Champions Cup Saturday, July 29, 2017 at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn.
Larry McCormack / The Tennessean,

Tottenham Hotspur forward Vincent Janssen (9) and Manchester City defender Nicolas Otamendi (30) go after the ball in the second half of the Manchester City-Tottenham game in the International Champions Cup Saturday, July 29, 2017 at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn.
Larry McCormack / The Tennessean,

Manchester City forward Raheem Sterling scores on Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Michel Vorm (13) in the second half of the Manchester City-Tottenham game in the International Champions Cup Saturday, July 29, 2017 at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn.
Larry McCormack / The Tennessean,

Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson Moraes (31) is congratulated by his teammates after a big stop in the first half of the Manchester City-Tottenham game in the International Champions Cup Saturday, July 29, 2017 at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn.
Lacy Atkins / The Tennesssean,

Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Michel Vorm (13) makes a stop in the second half of the Manchester City-Tottenham game in the International Champions Cup Saturday, July 29, 2017 at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn.
Lacy Atkins / The Tennessean,

Manchester City forward Raheem Sterling (7) in the second half of the Manchester City-Tottenham game in the International Champions Cup Saturday, July 29, 2017 at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn.
Lacy Atkins / The Tennessean,

Players mix it up in the second half of the Manchester City-Tottenham game in the International Champions Cup Saturday, July 29, 2017 at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn.
Lacy Atkins / The Tennessean,

Tottenham Hotspur forward Harry Kane (10) and Manchester City defender Vincent Kompany (4) in the first half of the Manchester City-Tottenham game in the International Champions Cup Saturday, July 29, 2017 at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn.
Lacy Atkins / The Tennessean

Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson Moraes (31) directs his teammates in the first half of the Manchester City-Tottenham game in the International Champions Cup Saturday, July 29, 2017 at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn.
Lacy Atkins / The Tennessean,

Tottenham Hotspur forward Harry Kane (10) moves the ball in the first half of the Manchester City-Tottenham game in the International Champions Cup Saturday, July 29, 2017 at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn.
Lacy Atkins / The Tennesssean,

A young Tottenham fan cheers in the first half of the Manchester City-Tottenham game in the International Champions Cup Saturday, July 29, 2017 at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn.
Lacy Atkins / The Tennesssean,

Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Christian Eriksen (23) moves the ball in the first half of the Manchester City-Tottenham game in the International Champions Cup Saturday, July 29, 2017 at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn.
Lacy Atkins / The Tennessean,

Manchester City defender John Stones (5) and Tottenham Hotspur forward Harry Kane (10) go up for a header in the first half of the Manchester City-Tottenham game in the International Champions Cup Saturday, July 29, 2017 at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn.
Lacy Atkins / The Tennesssean,

Tottenham Hotspur defender Toby Alderweireld (4) and Manchester City defender Danilo (3) go after the ball in the first half of the Manchester City-Tottenham game in the International Champions Cup Saturday, July 29, 2017 at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn.
Larry McCormack / The Tennesssean,

Manchester City defender Danilo (3) doesn't like a call in the first half of the Manchester City-Tottenham game in the International Champions Cup Saturday, July 29, 2017 at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn.
Larry McCormack / The Tennessean,

Tottenham Hotspur defender Toby Alderweireld (4) and Manchester City midfielder Kevin DeBruyne (17) battle for the ball in the first half of the Manchester City-Tottenham game in the International Champions Cup Saturday, July 29, 2017 at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn.
Larry McCormack / The Tennessean

Players celebrate the goal by Manchester City defender John Stones (5) in the first half of the Manchester City-Tottenham game in the International Champions Cup Saturday, July 29, 2017 at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn.
Larry McCormack / The Tennessean,

Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Hugo Loris (1) scoops a ball in front of the net in the first half of the Manchester City-Tottenham game in the International Champions Cup Saturday, July 29, 2017 at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn.
Larry McCormack / The Tennessean,

Manchester City defender Nicolas Otamendi (30) and Tottenham Hotspur forward Harry Kane (10) battle for the ball in the first half of the Manchester City-Tottenham game in the International Champions Cup Saturday, July 29, 2017 at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn.
Larry McCormack / The Tennesssean,

Players during the mandated hot weather break in the first half of the Manchester City-Tottenham game in the International Champions Cup Saturday, July 29, 2017 at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn.
Larry McCormack / The Tennessean,

Fans wait above the tunnerl for the players to come out for the Manchester City-Tottenham game in the International Champions Cup Saturday, July 29, 2017 at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn.
Lacy Atkins / The Tennessean,

Fans stream across the Korean Veterans Memorial Bridge on their way to the Manchester City-Tottenham game in the International Champions Cup Saturday, July 29, 2017 at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn.
Larry McCormack / The Tennessean,

Elliott Cassantino takes a photo of Ty Harrington, of Birmingham, Ala., and his family before the Manchester City-Tottenham game in the International Champions Cup Saturday, July 29, 2017 at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn.
Lacy Atkins / The Tennessean

Fans stream across the Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge on their way to the Manchester City-Tottenham game in the International Champions Cup Saturday, July 29, 2017 at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn.
Larry McCormack / The Tennessean,

Aubrey Smith, 8, practices her ball handling skills before the Manchester City-Tottenham game in the International Champions Cup Saturday, July 29, 2017 at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn.
Larry McCormack / The Tennessean,

Fans stream across the Korean Veterans Memorial Bridge on their way to the Manchester City-Tottenham game in the International Champions Cup Saturday, July 29, 2017 at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn.
Larry McCormack / The Tennessean,

Henry Sprouse and Hayden Glover practice with a group of kids from Owensboro and Madisonville, Ky., at the Manchester City-Tottenham game in the International Champions Cup Saturday, July 29, 2017 at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn.
Lacy Atkins / The Tennessean,

Nicholas Dunaway, of Columbus, Ohio, plays soccer before the Manchester City-Tottenham game in the International Champions Cup Saturday, July 29, 2017 at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn.
Lacy Atkins / The Tennessean,

Because of MLS requirements for soccer-specific stadiums from its next crop of expansion teams, and size considerations, First Tennessee Park is not considered an option for MLS.

Mayor Megan Barry, who is working with Ingram on a funding proposal for the propsoed MLS stadium, was also on hand for Wednesday's announcement. Although the city owns First Tennessee Park, the stadium agreement is only between the Sounds and Nashville SC.

"This is a venue that is an amazing asset for Nashville," Barry said of First Tennessee Park. "The fact that we're going to be able to have this now the home for soccer next year is a great benefit for us.

"Professional soccer has arrived in Nashville," she said. "By the time the 2018 season begins, I expect that the Nashville SC will be waving all over town."

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The Nashville investor group bidding for a Major League Soccer expansion franchise in Music City unveiled preliminary designs Monday for a 30,000-seat stadium that would transform the aging Metro-owned Fairgrounds Nashville.
Ayrika Whitney/USA TODAY NETWORK - Tennessee

Reach Joey Garrison at 615-259-8236, jgarrison@tennessean.com and on Twitter @joeygarrison.